A Rubber’s (raw or finished goods) diverse utility has encouraged a constant quest to discover and employ its qualities to their optimum. To achieve this, there are processes that exist to make rubber sturdier and more efficient.
Rubber moulding is one such process and the finished goods incurred from this process are known as rubber moulding parts. In this blog we will explore what rubber moulding parts are, how they are procured and important factors to consider during the selection of raw materials for its manufacturing.
What is a Rubber Moulding Part?
To understand a rubber moulded part, we first need to understand what uncured rubber is:
The rawest rubber extracted from the rubber tree is a sticky expandable compound devoid of properties such as durability and extreme resistance. These properties are imparted to a natural rubber through a process called curing, and the rubber procured from this process is called uncured or vulcanised rubber. Heat and sulphur are added to a material during the process of curing. This process initiates strong chemical bonds between the molecule,s making the rubber sturdier, elastic and highly durable.
Rubber Moulding Parts and the process behind their inception:
The uncured rubber is used as the base material to make rubber-moulding parts, and the process which facilitates this possibility is called the rubber moulding process. In simple terms, rubber moulding is a manufacturing process in which the uncured rubber is shaped or moulded to give a desired form by applying pressure or its injection into a moulded cavity. O-rings, gaskets, tubing, bumpers, seals, vibration mounts, etc., are characterised as moulded parts.
Also Read: Advantages of Using Rubber Moulding Products in Industrial Applications
How to Choose the Perfect Material for Your Rubber Moulded Components
Broadly, it is viable to consider the following parameters to acquire good-quality rubber moulding parts:
1) Physical Properties
A moulded part’s efficiency is dependent on the physical properties it embodies. These physical properties are directly proportional to the physical properties of its raw material compound, which is the uncured rubber. The physical properties to test include elongation, elasticity, tensile strength and tear resistance. Let’s consider a rubber seal, for instance, its primary function resides in preventing air or water leakage and acts as a barrier between two surfaces. For a rubber seal to function effectively, the material it is made of should inevitably possess physical strength, such as good elasticity and wear resistance.
2) Resistance to Temperature and Chemicals
Rubber moulding parts play an important role in assisting a device’s functioning. Under many circumstances, they must endure high or low temperatures, thus, it is essential for the raw material to possess tolerance to a temperature range. Similarly, in industrial units, many of the rubber moulded parts come in contact with numerous chemicals. Their resistance to chemicals is strongly dependent upon their manufacturing material. Different rubber compounds react to every chemical differently, however, most of them offer good resistance. This lowers the degradation and contraction rate of the rubber-moulded parts when combating different chemical compositions.
3) Check Environmental Needs
Based on the need and requirement, it is essential to study the environment in which the rubber moulded part is going to function. The environment may expose it to UV radiation, ozone or pollutants which may hamper its quality. Keeping these factors in mind it is a requirement to check if the material is capable of sustaining these external pressures.
4) Hardness
The hardness of a rubber part is a crucial factor in determining its overall performance which can be measured with the help of a durometer. This forms a necessary check as the hardness of a rubber will determine its load-bearing ability, abrasion and flexibility.
Also Read: How Custom Rubber Moulding Improves Efficiency in Heavy Machinery
Conclusion
In today’s day and age, it is impossible to skip a product or appliance supported by rubber. The supremacy of rubber lies in its super adaptable nature and ability to produce a shape or form that exceeds the standard of its original compound. Rubber moulding parts are a classic example of this which are enhanced versions of their raw components and are customizable and resilient.
At Shree Rubber Works, we manufacture and present a series of rubber moulded parts, each crafted with scientific and mechanical knowledge,e perfectly fit for household and industrial needs. For a comprehensive look at our product range, check our website or reach out to us: https://www.shreerubberworks.com/contact/